Metallurgical vessel supporting device

ABSTRACT

A fastening device for a metallurgical vessel particularly for steel mill converters which are adapted to rest on a supporting ring surrounding the vessel includes a claw or bracket element which extends outwardly from the exterior wall of the vessel and engages and holds the supporting ring. The claws are secured between the vessel and the ring by a connecting expandable metal plate or metal strip. The metal plate has a broad side which extends substantially perpendicularly to a radius of a vessel. The claws extend outwardly from above and below the ring and engage in trackways defined between guides formed at spaced locations on the ring. The vessel may also be provided with a bracket or claw which extends radially outwardly from its exterior surface and provides an anchor for one end of a connecting plate which is arranged to extend preferably substantially tangential to the outer ring. The ring is supported from the other end of the connecting plate by a bracket member which extends upwardly from the ring.

United States Patent 72] Inventors Karl-Heinrich Mahringer Duisburg-Hambom; Karl-Heinz Langlitz, Mulheim (ll) Ruhr- Heissen, Germany [21] Appl. No. 780,783 [22] Filed Dec. 3, 1968 [45] Patented Apr. 20, 1971 [73] Assignee Demag Aktiengesellschaft Duisburg, Germany [32] Priority Dec. 7, 1967 [33] Germany [31] P 15 83 245.8

[54] METALLURGICAL VESSEL SUPPORTING DEVICE 8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 266/35, 263/33 [51] Int. Cl C2lc 5/42 [50] Field of Search 263/33 (A), (inquired); 266/1, 35, 36 (P), 39

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,146,983 9/1964 Johnson 263/33 3,191,922 6/ l 965 Puhringer 266/36 3,400,922 9/1968 Langlitz 266/36 3,497,197 2/ l 970 Puhringer 266/36 Primary Examiner-Gerald A. Dost .AltorneyMcGlew and Toren ABSCT: A fastening device for a metallurgical vessel particularly for steel mill converters which are adapted to rest on a supporting ring surrounding the vessel includes a claw or bracket element which extends outwardly from the exterior wall of the vessel and engages and holds the supporting ring. The claws are secured between the vessel and the ring by a connecting expandable metal plate or metal strip. The metal plate has a broad side which extends substantially perpendicularly to a radius of a vessel. The claws extend outwardly from above and below the ring and engage in trackways defined between guides formed at spaced locations on the ring. The vessel may also be provided with a bracket or claw which extends radially outwardly from its exterior surface and provides an anchor for one end of a connecting plate which is arranged to extend preferably substantially tangential to the outer ring. The ring is supported from the other end of the connecting plate by a bracket member which extends upwardly from the ring.

Patented April 20, 1971 INVENTORS Karl -Heinrich MA HRINGER Karl-Heinz LANGLITZ their ATTORNEYS MlETALlLlURGII CAL VlESSlElL SUPPORTING lDlEVllClE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to the construction of metallurgical vessels and in particular to a new and useful fastening device, particularly for steel mill converters, which includes a surrounding ring which is supported from the vessel by a projecting claw which is connected to the ring through a flat plate or strip member which may expand and contract in accordance with temperature changes of a vessel.

it is very difficult to support metallurgical vessels by means of supporting rings which extend around the exterior surface of the vessel because of the thermal stresses which are caused by the high temperatures of the vessel. The thermal expansion of the supporting ring and the vessel at different expansion rates leads to a compression of the supporting claws or brackets mounted on the vessel and their connections to the supporting ring. The compression stresses cannot attain extremely high values so that stress peaks appear in the vessel shell which are above the elastic or breaking limit.

Various suggestions have been made for the mounting of the rings on the vessel to permit expansion in axial and radial directions. For example, it has been suggested that the vessel and the ring be provided with wedge-shaped sliding engagement pieces which may slide relatively during thermal contractions and expansions. The angle of the slope of the wedges are calculated to accommodate anticipated temperature changes in accordance with the existing longitudinal and radial dimensions. A difficulty in their arrangement is that they can accommodate expansion and contraction in two directions only. in modern large size vessels it is necessary to support vessels up to thousands of tons of weight on supporting claws or brackets. The division of the load into a plurality of such brackets or supporting claws does not result in a uniform support around the circumference of the vessel because it is not possible to determine which load portions have to be attributed to a single supporting bracket or claw. Some uncertainty can be overcome by providing as far as possible a statically defined support, for example, a three point support.

In addition to pure thermal expansion due to the thermal loading of the vessel there is the expansion which occurs during the initial stage of heat transfer and this changes constantly. This is due to the fact that more heat passes through the vessel wall at the end of the furnace operation that during the operation so that considerable heating of the wall up to a read heat must be taken into account. This is caused by the washings inside the vessel which result in dilTerent thicknesses at different points of the lining and, in some cases, a decrease in thickness at the location of the claw fastening points. The claws which are secured tothe vessel at these zones will become warped so that they will not readily slide on any inclined or wedgelike surface.

A further attempt has been made to provide for connections between supporting brackets and the outer ring which permit the sliding engagement of the parts, for example, by providing rail guides. The sliding of the parts relatively to each other, will permit a reduction of the stressing of the pans due to a thermal expansion and contraction but there is a further disadvantage of the construction. Since metallurgical vessels, particularly steel mill converters, must be tilted or tipped into a substantially horizontal position in respect to its longitudinal axis, it has been observed that claws which slide in raillike recesses of the ring will suddenly drop due to thermal changes and this leads to a jerky drop of the vessel. This may result in a considerable shock which does not necessarily lead to the rupture of the vessel wall but nevertheless it is so unpleasant that the process manifests itself in loud noises. The noise of the droppings of the entire vessel in the claw guides could be accepted in steel mill operation but greater wear of claw guides is also observed so that the bearing clearance increases considerably in the course of the life of the vessel and the guides become more and more inaccurate.

in accordance with the present invention there is provided a connection between supporting brackets or claws and a ring spaced from the exterior wall of the vessel which includes a flat plate which is expandable upon increases in temperature to permit relative movement between the supporting ring and the vessel wall. in accordance with one embodiment the supporting claws engage from above and below the blockshaped hollow ring in guide ways defined thereon which permit some sliding movement of the supporting claws. The claws are attached to the ring by at least one expandable plate which extends perpendicularly to a radius of the vessel, or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel, and which is secured to both the ring and the claws. Two expandable plate or strip elements are advantageously located to extend outwardly from respective opposite sides of the ring and are secured at their outer ends to the respective top and bottom claws. With such a construction during the thermal expansion of the vessel a tensile stress is produced in the strips or plates but a deviation of the fastening points on the vessel and on the supporting ring from the strip axis is possible but naturally produces a controllable stress increase in the strip material. The fastening points can be provided by welding the strips on the claws and on the supporting ring. A particular advantage is the fact that the strips extend inside the supporting rings so that they can be viewed and controlled without any difficulty through inspection holes or similar cutouts but they are nevertheless arranged in a protected position.

There are many fastening possibilities for securing the strips between the brackets and the ring, for example, the strip ends can be held by means of a screw joint or by the use of wedges and corresponding recesses in the strip. The length of the distance of the supporting claws from the opposite fastening points inside the supporting ring may be chosen in accordance with the angle of deviation anticipated in practice to accommodate the displacement of the vessel wall relative to the supporting ring wall.

The securing arrangement permits not only retention of the ring in respect to the wall of the vessel within suitable limits in a vertical orientation of the longitudinal axis of the vessel but also provides considerable advantages when the converter vessel is tipped into a horizontal position. Even in this position it is possible to center the vessel by means of the strips with respect to its supporting ring, and to absorb the forces which appear. in the preferred arrangement, this is accomplished by providing additional securing means or connecting plates between brackets or claws which extend radially outwardly from the vessel and those which are arranged to extend upwardly from the outer periphery of the ring. The spaced apart brackets support a plate or strip therebetween which extends substantially tangentially to the ring. Such an arrangement is of particular advantage in the case of radial thermal expansion. With the strips arranged to extend tangentially to the ring they may swing outwardly dun'ng expansion. Depending on the required elasticity of the support, the construction is of advantage in that it permits the formation of the joint to provide a greater resistance moment in a related direction in accordance with the selection of the strip cross section.

A further feature of the invention is that the axial expansion of the vessel can be accommodated by using strips having a rectangular cross section oriented with their broad sides perpendicular to a radius to the vessel center. A similar arrangement can be provided for strips which extend, for example, parallel to an end face of the supporting ring.

in some instances, it is desirable to prestress the strips by means of fastening elements or special stretching devices. The forces appearing when the vessel is in an upright position can be used to reduce the normal stresses occuring in any case. This will result in considerable advantages when the vessel is tilted to a horizontal position.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved means for supporting a metallurgical vessel within a surrounding ring which includes connecting plate elements secured between the ring and supporting claws on the vessel which are bendable to accommodate for thermal expansion and contraction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a metallurgical vessel construction which includes a surrounding hollow ring which is connected to the vessel by a connecting plate which extends substantially perpendicular to a radius of the vessel and will bend to permit relative movement between the ring and the vessel to accommodate thermal dimension changes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a metallurgical vessel construction which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view through the walls of a metallurgical vessel which is oriented in an upright position and indicating the mounting of the vessel to a surrounding ring constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of a portion of the vessel indicating a mounting ring having an additional connection for accommodating particularly radial expansions and contractions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing in particular, the invention embodied therein in FIG. I, comprises a metallurgical vessel such as a steel mill converter 1 which is provided with upper and lower securing claws or mounting brackets, 2 and 3 respectively, which bear against respective upper and lower surfaces of an annular hollow ring or supporting ring 4. The supporting ring 4 comprises an annular hollow member of substantially square cross section having a flat annular reinforcing rib extending centrally therearound. The upper and lower surfaces of the ring 4 are provided with guides 7, which define rails or track ways for hearing portions 2a and 3a of the claws 2 and 3, respectively. The rail portions 2a and 3a slide on the ring 4 and help reduce the friction during the thermal expansion of the claws.

In accordance with the invention, expandable strips or connecting plates 8 and 9 interconnect the supporting claws 2 and 3 to the annular ring 4. The outer ends of the respective plates 8 and 9 are secured to the associated claws 2 and 3 by a clamp joint schematically indicated 11 and inner ends are secured by a clamp joint 11' to the respective opposite faces of the annular rib 5. The clamp joint 11 which is schematically indicated may comprise, for example, a welded mounting and connection, a screw joint, interengageable wedges, etc.

When the vessel 1 is subjected to an expansion or contraction due to temperature changes or by special loading conditions, the position of the vessel 1 relative to the supporting ring 4 may change because the strips 8 and 9 will be bent to accommodate such change and to eliminate the stressing of the parts. Particularly axial expansion and radial expansion can be absorbed by the strips 8 and 9.

In the construction indicated in FIG. 2, the vessel I is also provided with additional connecting elements between the ring 4 and its outer walls. In this arrangement, flat plates or strips 12 are secured between brackets or claws 13 which extend outwardly from the wall of the vessel I and a corresponding bracket or claw 14 which is formed at the outer edge of the ring 4. The plates 12 are held in the corresponding brackets 13 and 14 by clamping members 11''. In the embodiment shown, the plate 12 extends substantially tangential to the inner circumference of the ring. In the event of expansion of the supporting ring 4, the brackets 14 will turn in the direction of the arrow 15 or there will be a superposing movement in the direction of the arrow 16 which can be absorbed by the elasticity of the strip 12. This also holds true in respect to distortion of the bracket I3 in the direction of the arrow 17 and in respect to movements of the bracket 13 in the radial direction 18. The strips 12 need not be arranged in the tangential direction indicated but can be oriented at any selected angle between the brackets 13 and 14 in accordance with the particular arrangements desired. A number of such plates around the circumference of the ring 4 will vary in accordance with the particular vessel design and size.

A particular advantage in the constructions of FIGS. 1 and 2 is that it is possible to adapt the plates 8 and 9 and the plates I2 to the particular requirements for the support of the vessel to the ring 4. For example, it is possible to provide a strip or plate 8 or 9 or 12 which has reinforcements at selected areas or over its entire width. A suitable composite cross-sectional form of the strips 8, 9 and 12 can be attained to prevent sagging of the strips at the clamping points 11 and also to permit a movement perpendicular to the drawing plane as in the embodiment of FIG. 2. The strip 12 may comprise two longitudinal parts which are connected with each other by a special joint in the center, for example.

Iclaim:

l. A fastening device for metallurgical vessels, particularly for steel mill converters, comprising a supporting ring adapted to be positioned around the vessel and spaced outwardly therefrom, clamping means carried on said supporting ring, at least one support claw adapted to be secured to the vessel and extending outwardly therefrom, a flat plate extending between said clamping means and said support claw and being flexible to permit relative movement between said supporting ring and the vessel to accommodate changes in dimension due to stressing, said support claw comprising a bracket extending substantially radially outwardly from said vessel, said clamping means on said supporting ring comprising a bracket on said supporting ring, said flat plate extending substantially tangential to the inner circumference of the supporting ring between said bracket and said clamping ring bracket.

2. A fastening device, according to claim I, wherein said flat plate has a substantially rectangular cross section and has its broad side extending substantially perpendicular to a radial line extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the vessel.

3. A fastening device, according to claim 1, wherein said clamping means engages said flat plate so as to prestrcss said flat plate.

4. A fastening device for metallurgical vessels, particularly for steel mill converters, comprising a supporting ring adapted to be positioned around the vessel and spaced outwardly therefrom, clamping means carried on said supporting ring, at least one support claw adapted to be secured to the vessel and extending outwardly therefrom, a fiat plate extending between said clamping means and said support claw and being flexible to permit relative movement between said supporting ring and the vessel to accommodate changes in dimension due to stressing, said at least one support claw including a bracket extending substantially radially outwardly from said vessel and holding said flat plate on one side thereof so as to extend substantially normal to a radial line of said vessel, and an upstanding bracket on the outer circumference of said ring, said clamping means being carried by said upstanding bracket.

5. A metallurgical vessel construction comprising a vessel of substantially cylindrical configuration having an annular side wall, a hollow ring extending around said annular side wall and spaced outwardly therefrom and having a central annular rib therein, a first claw extending outwardly from said vessel into said ring and bearing downwardly against said rib, a second claw extending outwardly from said vessel into said ring and bearing upwardly against said rib, and a flexible plate means extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said vessel and connected to said first and second claws and extending into and connected to said ring.

6. A metallurgical vessel, according to claim 5, wherein said rib comprises an annular flat plate extending transversely through said hollow ring, and including guides in said hollow ring accommodating said first and second plates, and means for securing said first and second plates to said rib.

7. A metallurgical vessel, according to claim 6, including a vessel bracket extending outwardly from a side of said vessel adjacent to and spaced from said ring, said ring having a ring for steel mill converters, comprising a supporting ring adapted to be positioned around the vessel and spaced outwardly therefrom, clamping means carried on said supporting ring, a tip support claw bearing downwardly on said ring, a bottom support claw bearing upwardly on said ring, guide means on said ring defining a track way for accommodating said top claw and said bottom claw and permitting relative movement between said claws and said ring, a first flat plate connected to said top claw, a second flat plate connected to said bottom claw, said annular supporting ring being hollow and including an annular flat rib portion located centrally therewithin, said first plate being connected to the top side of said annular rib, said second plate being connected to the bottom of said annular rib. 

1. A fastening device for metallurgical vessels, particularly for steel mill converters, comprising a supporting ring adapted to be positioned around the vessel and spaced outwardly therefrom, clamping means carried on said supporting ring, at least one support claw adapted to be secured tO the vessel and extending outwardly therefrom, a flat plate extending between said clamping means and said support claw and being flexible to permit relative movement between said supporting ring and the vessel to accommodate changes in dimension due to stressing, said support claw comprising a bracket extending substantially radially outwardly from said vessel, said clamping means on said supporting ring comprising a bracket on said supporting ring, said flat plate extending substantially tangential to the inner circumference of the supporting ring between said bracket and said clamping ring bracket.
 2. A fastening device, according to claim 1, wherein said flat plate has a substantially rectangular cross section and has its broad side extending substantially perpendicular to a radial line extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the vessel.
 3. A fastening device, according to claim 1, wherein said clamping means engages said flat plate so as to prestress said flat plate.
 4. A fastening device for metallurgical vessels, particularly for steel mill converters, comprising a supporting ring adapted to be positioned around the vessel and spaced outwardly therefrom, clamping means carried on said supporting ring, at least one support claw adapted to be secured to the vessel and extending outwardly therefrom, a flat plate extending between said clamping means and said support claw and being flexible to permit relative movement between said supporting ring and the vessel to accommodate changes in dimension due to stressing, said at least one support claw including a bracket extending substantially radially outwardly from said vessel and holding said flat plate on one side thereof so as to extend substantially normal to a radial line of said vessel, and an upstanding bracket on the outer circumference of said ring, said clamping means being carried by said upstanding bracket.
 5. A metallurgical vessel construction comprising a vessel of substantially cylindrical configuration having an annular side wall, a hollow ring extending around said annular side wall and spaced outwardly therefrom and having a central annular rib therein, a first claw extending outwardly from said vessel into said ring and bearing downwardly against said rib, a second claw extending outwardly from said vessel into said ring and bearing upwardly against said rib, and a flexible plate means extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said vessel and connected to said first and second claws and extending into and connected to said ring.
 6. A metallurgical vessel, according to claim 5, wherein said rib comprises an annular flat plate extending transversely through said hollow ring, and including guides in said hollow ring accommodating said first and second plates, and means for securing said first and second plates to said rib.
 7. A metallurgical vessel, according to claim 6, including a vessel bracket extending outwardly from a side of said vessel adjacent to and spaced from said ring, said ring having a ring bracket extending outwardly therefrom, a flexible plate connected to said ring bracket and to said vessel bracket and in alignment with at least a portion of said ring.
 8. A fastening device for metallurgical vessels, particularly for steel mill converters, comprising a supporting ring adapted to be positioned around the vessel and spaced outwardly therefrom, clamping means carried on said supporting ring, a tip support claw bearing downwardly on said ring, a bottom support claw bearing upwardly on said ring, guide means on said ring defining a track way for accommodating said top claw and said bottom claw and permitting relative movement between said claws and said ring, a first flat plate connected to said top claw, a second flat plate connected to said bottom claw, said annular supporting ring being hollow and including an annular flat rib portion located centrally therewithin, said first plate being connected to the top side of sAid annular rib, said second plate being connected to the bottom of said annular rib. 